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Fadzayi Maposah-Correspondent
People use certain common words that I dislike.
With age, I have learnt not to just throw tantrums, rave, and rant when these words are said.
There are instances I express my displeasure with the use of words and even explain how the phrases affect me.
In other instances, I just frown in an invisible manner.
Have I lost you there?
You probably have no idea what it means to frown in an invisible manner!
You will never see me frown when you speak the words but inside I will have such a big scowl that all the cartoon characters would be envious and wonder how I do it.
Aging has its benefits; one always tries to avoid drama.
One word that makes me frown inside is ‘finish’. Aaah you are saying as you read this.
What on earth is wrong with that English word?
When used in the proper context, I have no problems with this word.
Allow me to finish so that you get the full picture and we start operating from the same level.
Let us imagine there are people having a discussion in the vernacular and then something is shared by one of the members, once you hear the word ‘finish’ spoken amid the conversation then you can be certain that something or someone has been dismissed or written off.
That word is used like the final nail on the coffin.
Second word is “pakaipa” which means ‘bad’ when loosely translated. The emphasis with which “pakaipa” is spoken is not just to mean bad but very bad or extremely bad.
I guess when this word was initially used it meant there were challenges regarding something that had been shared so one would just say “pakaipa”.
Now some things that are deemed as “pakaipa” may not be so bad but because our brains have been wired to associate it with wicked situations, the moment we hear it, our hopes are dashed.
Considering that, it is used so often now, one keeps getting images of very bad situations when it is said.
It is only when you hear the context in which it was used that you realise that the situation is not so bad.
On a daily basis, one can be exposed to “pakaipa” more often.
If one uses public transport, the frequency may be higher as the commuter omnibus crew members are among the ones who seem to have the mandate to use the word.
They have also `legalised` the use of the word such that passengers see it as normal.
Pakaipa! Ooops, it is catching on me like a flu bug!
As Africans, we do everything with a lot of passion.
Before exposure to other Africans, I used to think it was Zimbabwean to be passionate.
Now that I have met and made friends with sisters and brothers from other African countries, I am certain that we are indeed all related.
We are passionate relatives! There is no room for moderation in Africa, we go all out.
See us happy and dancing at a wedding, we do it with all our energy.
Whether we are ululating or putting our cloths for the bride to walk upon, we do it energetically.
We will complain later of aching legs and backs but we will have performed the task well.
When we mourn the death of our loved ones, we cry our hearts and our whole beings are shaken by grief.
We take our passion even to our speech. We took or borrowed (never to return them, they are now ours) from other languages, yet when we speak the words now, we have total ownership!
Take the word doek that we have modified into dhuku (headscarf).
The emphasis on the ‘dhu’ is amazing and passionate! The third word that I am going to talk about today is ‘yaaa’. I could have put many, just to emphasise how it is pronounced.
This yaaa has been modified from yea or yeah which means yes. The way that it is spoken lets you know that it is indeed true.
“Yaa, pakaipa, finish”. These triplets are hope deflating.
We are in the last few days of October.
There have been many cancer awareness campaigns done in the length and breadth of this magnificent country.
The information dissemination campaigns this Pinktober where people have shown solidarity by wearing pink have resulted in others taking brave but very necessary steps to go for cancer screening.
The results have been different. Others have had negative results.
Others have been told to come back after some time and get the tests done again.
Others have been told that they have cancer and they have been referred for treatment, care or support.
In sharing the results with family and friends some have received the three words, finish (it is the end) yaaa, (yes, the end) pakaipa (it is very bad).
I am here to erase what they said. You can do it. It is the beginning of treatment, yes the beginning and there is hope.
Being screened was a good step that informed what should be done next. If you have not gone for cancer screening or supported another to go, you can still do so. Cancer awareness will not end when October does.
Supporting those bravely fighting cancer should also continue! Keep hope alive!
Online Reporter